Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 14, Number 21, DeMotte, Jasper County, 7 April 1944 — NEWS of our Service Men and Women [ARTICLE]

NEWS of our Service Men and Women

WITH THE FIFTH ARMY, ITALY—Technical Sergeant Harold R. Brown volunteered to transport ammunition over a road that was continually shelled by the Boche during recent operations on the Fifth Army front in Jtaly. The Germans had launched a strong counterattack against a hill being held by an infantry company in the 36th “Texas” Division sector. Ammunition was running low and the Krauts were severely shelling the only road leading to and from the ammunition dump. Sergeant Brown, weapons platoon sergeant, on his own initiative and without orders, volunteered to make the trip over the road. He worked constantly under this severe fire and successfully made several trips, thereby replenishing the supply of ammunition. His courageous action and devotion to duty were largely responsible in causing his unit to hold off the counterattack until the enemy withdrew. Sgt. Brown is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Brown, Wheatfield, Indiana. He has been overseas 11 months, serving in North Africa and Italy. He was among the first American troops to set foot on Italian soil during the Fifth Army invasion of Italy on September 9, 1943. Pvt. Maurice Oliver, writes from Camp BarkeLy, Texas, March 27. “Dear Editor, I am writing you to inform you of a change in address so the paper will be around to inform me bf the happenings back home. I fractured my leg the 25th of last month and have been spending my time in the hospital. The cast w r as taken off the first of this w T eek and I am walking around the ward to some extent, but it will be a few weeks before I get back to active duty. I was classified and assigned to the 23rd Tank Battalion of the 12th Division as a gunner in a General Sherman tank. The weather down here is fine for Texas, but Texas never has the best weather in the world. Yours truly, Maurice Oliver.” Edward S. Criswell, 37, husband of Mrs. Arvesta A. Criswell, R.F.D. No. 1, DeMotte, Ind., is receiving his initial indoctrination at the U. S. Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, 111. His boot training consists of instruction in seamanship, military drill, and general naval procedure. During this period a series of aptitude tests will be taken by the recruit to determine wiiether he will be assigned to a Naval Service School or to immediate active duty at sea. His recruit training completed, the seaman will spend a period of leave at home. Pvt. Walter Huhn of Ft. Slocum, N. Y., is in the hospital there, after undergoing an appendectomy, according to word received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Huhn. Pfc. Einar Anderson has an APO New York address. George Suffem was recently promoted to Chief Petty Officer. Tommy Abbring may now be addressed as First Lieutenant Abbring.

GM 3 c Lester Evers has a change of address. Lt. Anna Boezeman, ANC., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sig Boezeman, is at Station Hospital, Ft. Custer, Michigan. A card from A S “Bud” Moolenaar, informs us that he is at Gainsville, Florida. A note from Doris Schwanke, in England, says that the KVP has finally caught up with her and she is receiving it regularly since the 13th of Feb. Sgs. Oscar Coberly, of Chandlier, Arizona, has been spending a few weeks furlough with friends and relatives. He will return to his camp this week end. John Boezeman has been transferred to Hertford, No. Carolina.